Coming to the UK had been my dream since I was a teenager. When I was in high school this agency came and gave a talk about summer abroad programs. Ever since, the dream to come to the United Kingdom settled into my mind. The years passed and I kept on dreaming, until one day I decided I was ready to do it, or at least to try. During the pandemics, I submitted my application to University of Essex.
 

UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX

When choosing university I valued the openness to international students. And University of Essex offered a very straightforward entry requirements for foreign students, in addition to their worldwide recognized research excellence. My unconditional offer came along with an International Excellence scholarship. All of this, plus the charm of a city like Colchester cemented my decision of accepting the offer. 
 

THE PROCESS

I was doing it all on my own because I thought there was no harm in just trying, but when I got my offer, I realized I needed some guidance. While researching about visa requirements and scholarships I found myself submitting my information to “Across the Pond”. Their service felt like someone holding my hand during the process. My advisor was quick and helpful with answering my queries and they may or may not know they relieved my concerns and anxiety more than once, for which I am forever grateful. The advice is not limited to documentation requirements only but it also provides a lot of useful information about what to expect in your daily life in the UK. Needless to say, Across the Pond prepared me with all the tools I needed to embark on my dream.
 

COLCHESTER

I needed a place where I could host my parents when they decided to visit so I started looking through online platforms and enquiring on my own. Luckily I came across this two bedroom flat located equally close to university as to town centre. 

Colchester is a very beautiful small city that combines the calmness of the country side and the broad spectrum of opportunities given its closeness to a big city like London. 

After settling into my new home and exploring the city, the date finally arrived to start my studies. And so my life in the UK began, Colchester became my home and I can’t be happier about it. I love the easiness of walking to the castle park on a sunny afternoon or staying at home and cozying up to a film on a rainy day. On my free time I’ve had the opportunity to visit the local theatre which offers a wide variety of shows throughout the year, I’ve been to the golf club to practice a little just for fun, visited the cinema, some pubs and restaurants. In summary I’d say Colchester has everything you need and more.
 

STUDENT LIFE

My course was a conversion course, meaning it is designed to give you all the basic knowledge that a graduate of a Psychology degree should have, but in just one year. Many of my coursemates came from different educational backgrounds, and since I had a degree in Psychology, it gave me a slight advantage in being familiar with some concepts, theories and methods.

One of the main differences I can point out between the educational programs in Mexico and the United Kingdom is the number of coursework. I remember having one coursework per module, per week, to say the least, while studying my degree in Mexico, whereas in the UK we had barely one or two per module per term. I personally feel that there is more room for real critical thinking when students can focus on just producing a good essay instead of being constantly overloaded and overworked trying to meet deadlines for multiple tasks.

For my dissertation I went into a more cognitive field, carrying out a real experiment using equipment and a laboratory provided by the department with the help of my supervisor. I used an eye-tracking device and collected visual field data from all my subjects as they walked around campus to then code the recordings and measure how many times they looked at people's faces in order to study their relationship with anxiety.
 

SOCIAL LIFE

Thanks to university I had the opportunity to meet people from many different countries, England (of course), India, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Italy, France, Spain and many more. I also joined up with some fellow Mexican students and made some very good friends with whom I explored London and all it has to offer. In my free time I like to travel, going to concerts and festivals in different cities, which has also helped me meet more and more amazing people. I also love going to museums, the theatre, exploring themed parks and recently watching sports like horse racing and tennis. Like I mentioned, the UK has a lot to offer no matter what your interests are, you can always find something. 
 

LANGUAGE BARRIER

There is no better way to test not only language proficiency, but also cognitive flexibility, resilience, and problem-solving than moving abroad. No matter how confident or accustomed you are to being bilingual, studying and living abroad is always a challenge and requires daily effort and I found studying and taking classes in English to be scary at first, but the more I was exposed to the language, the easier it became. At first I had to really focus on what the professors were saying to be able to make it make sense in my mind, but after a couple of days I felt like I was understanding everything as if they were speaking in Spanish.

Don’t be afraid of asking "what does that mean?” Or "I'm sorry, can you repeat that?”. The only way to learn is by practicing.
 

WHAT ELSE TO KNOW?

I don't think I will ever find enough words to fully describe how amazing this whole experience was. All I can say is that the memories I’ve made are invaluable. On the other side, I guess I never thought much about the challenges I could face like being ill with no one to care for me, spending my birthdays by myself or watching how my loved ones go on with their lives and having to watch from a distance. It has its ups and downs but I still think that coming to study and live in the UK was the best decision I’ve ever made. 

Across the Pond gave a seminar regarding travel preparations and things to know and I would like to share some useful tips I have gathered from both these seminars and own experience.

Don’t overpack. I have seen so many people struggling to travel from the airport to their accommodation because they have a lot of luggage with them, so my advise would be to prioritize the things you will definitely not be able to find immediately after your arrival to the UK. Pack only the essentials and figure out the rest later. 

Take the time to study the customs. Life in the UK tends to be fast-paced and calm at the same time. Don’t stand in the middle of the way, try to always keep to the right on escalators, respect the queues and remember everything is closed by 4 pm on Sundays.

Getting home from the airport If you plan to take a train from the airport, I would recommend getting a railcard in advance. It can be done online and it saves you 1/3 of the total fare of your journey. Always keep an eye out for the disruption/strike updates, you can do it by visit national rail’s website. You don’t want to be jet lagged and stuck in the airport. Alternatively, national express coaches from the airport and they have connections to everywhere in the UK.

Banking. If you wish to open a bank account, most of the regular banks require you to be living in the UK for 3 years before being able to open one. Alternatively, virtual banks like Monzo and Revolut are more accessible and equally reliable. 

SIM card. Your foreign data plan may or may not charge your extra when using it in the UK. I recommend investigating this with your provider before coming and once here, you can get a UK SIM card. Nothing wrong in wanting to keep your home country’s phone number but having a UK one can facilitate many things.

Be wary of your surroundings. I have found the UK to be a very safe country, however, remember to always be aware of your surroundings, you can never be too careful. 

- Astrid
 

Where do you live when studying abroad? Do universities in the UK offer student housing? How much does student accommodation cost? Did you know that as an international student, you are guaranteed on-campus accommodation for the first or all your years studying at most of our UK universities? You will need to apply by the housing application deadline, and of course the best student accommodation in the UK goes first - so that is a good reason to apply early! There are several different student accommodations, price levels and facilities to choose from!

Most students choose to live on campus in their first year. This is social and a fantastic way to get to know students from all over the world! After that, most students choose to move into privately rented accommodation with their new friends. We recommend everyone to live in university accommodation in their first year, as it is a great way to get to know other students (and not just those on your degree).

Learn more about the different options, on-campus accommodation, how to arrange private accommodation and everything you need before applying for student accommodation in the UK via this webinar!
 

Do you want to study in the UK and are wondering if you need a visa? Maybe you have applied to British universities already, or are considering applying to university in London or elsewhere in the UK, but would like to know more about the UK student visa for European students? This webinar recording is about the UK Student Visa for students who will be starting their studies at a British university and are from European countries. We cover everything regarding the CAS, the application process, cost and other practicalities worth thinking about when applying for a student visa.

Did you know that all non-UK students need a visa to study in the UK? How much does a student visa cost? Is it difficult to get a student visa if you want to study in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? For most European students in the UK, a student visa is now a fact. 

After the UK left the EU, student visas have now become a reality for the vast majority of international students. It is therefore important to familiarise yourself with this process as early as possible, so that you are well prepared when the time comes to submit an application for a student visa. In this webinar recording, we will go through useful information about student visas, when to apply, what you need for the application, costs, and other tips and tricks that can make the process easier. This webinar is suitable for those who have already applied, those who have accepted an offer, but also those who are considering studies in the UK and want to know more about the visa process.

We have the information and tools most people need to be able to go through the visa process without the need for individual follow-up/advice beyond the general information and guide from us. Remember that Across the Pond cannot provide individual advice on your visa application, only certified immigration staff can.  In this webinar recording, you will learn about a number of important points that are good to be aware of when you familiarise yourself with the visa process.
 

I had previously tried to study abroad for a master's degree, but due to a lack of knowledge in the general application process, I could not do it. When I contacted Across the Pond for advice, everything flowed very easily. I was amazed by the personalized and instant attention provided. My advisor at Across the Pond helped me throughout the whole process and made a distant dream a reality. She guided me throughout all the decision-making stages, from selecting universities according to my preferences, to available scholarships, and living costs. 

My experience studying at the University of Dundee, Scotland, has been enriching in all aspects, both professional and personal. The study program met all my expectations, and my resume has been greatly strengthened since the United Kingdom has a lot of prestige in life sciences. While studying, I lived in the university residences, where I met more Mexican people and friends from other parts of the world, with whom I maintain friendships to this day. The university has sports and arts societies, and mental health support programs. They also organize social events where you can easily make friends. 

This experience accelerated my maturation process, as I got to know myself better and learned to solve difficulties with much more independence. Thanks to this opportunity I traveled all over Scotland, a fascinating place because of people's kindness, the culture, the beauty of its nature, landscapes, and architecture. Overall, studying abroad was a unique and transformative experience that enhanced my personal and professional success. 

- Pamela
 

Studying in the UK has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me, and there are several reasons why I chose to pursue my education here:

Firstly, I was drawn to the vibrant student atmosphere that permeates many cities across the UK. I found the energy of Oxford invigorating, and being so close to London provided me with countless opportunities to network within various work communities. This environment has been invaluable in helping me build connections and explore potential career paths.

Another factor that influenced my decision to study in the UK was my family ties to the country. With relatives here, I had always harboured a desire to visit and experience life in the UK. Additionally, I was attracted to the scope of physiotherapy education offered in the UK, which has a positive global reputation and can be easily transferred to multiple countries, including my home country of Canada, as well as destinations like Australia and New Zealand.

My time as a student in the UK has been incredibly positive, largely due to the diverse and inclusive student community I have been a part of. I've had the opportunity to meet and collaborate with individuals from all over the world who share similar aspirations of becoming qualified physiotherapists. This exposure to different perspectives and backgrounds has enriched my learning experience immeasurably.

One of the highlights of my course has been the multitude of opportunities it has offered beyond the required curriculum. For instance, I've had the chance to gain hands-on experience working pitch-side with rugby clubs in Oxford, which has not only complemented my studies but also provided valuable practical skills and insights.

Moreover, studying in the UK has opened up exciting travel possibilities during breaks and holidays. With short travel times to neighbouring countries, I've been able to explore diverse cultures and landscapes that would have been less accessible from Canada. This aspect of my experience has broadened my horizons and enriched my personal growth.

My advisor from Across the Pond was instrumental in helping me achieve my goal of studying in the UK. I was given insight on how to apply to universities across the UK as well as how to write an appropriate personal statement that was well suited from my programme. 

Overall, my decision to study in the UK has been immensely rewarding, offering me a supportive learning environment, diverse opportunities for personal and professional development, and the chance to explore new horizons both academically and culturally. I would highly recommend it to any prospective student looking for a fulfilling and enriching educational experience.

- Liam